Group Therapy

The Wise Family offers a variety of groups to help individuals who might benefit from processing life’s challenges with others experiencing similar issues. Groups provide a sounding board, structure for accountability, and a container for difficult conversations or emotions. The group process facilitates giving and receiving support in a safe environment with the opportunity to practice vulnerability and healthy boundaries.

Below is a list of groups The Wise Family is currently offering. If you have any general questions, please contact info@thewisefamily.com.

*Due to COVID-19, many groups have moved to an online format through our HIPAA compliant video platform. Please contact the counselor listed for more information.

Women’s Support Group

Feeling anxious and stressed through the pandemic? Tired of quarantining and concerned about the impact of kids home from school?

In this support group, participants will confidentially share feelings, fears, anxiety and your awesomeness. Together we will support, discuss, manage and maneuver every woman’s sacred self through the pandemic and “new normal” beyond. This group will be facilitated by Dorri C. Scott, MSW, Psychotherapist- Family Counselor & Parent Coach in private practice focused on family & women’s mental health & wellness.

Dates: May 5th through June 9th, 2020

Confidence Code Summer Book Club:

Get ready to start feeling every bit the strong, smart, talented girl that you are! Using the book “The Confidence Code For Girls” by Katty Kay and Clair Shipman, and the accompanying journal this group will support pre-teens (10-12) in working through social challenges, finding their voice, and loving who they are. Group sessions will be facilitated by clinicians, Kasey Cain and Karin Purugganan.

Upcoming Group Dates:

May 14th – June 18th, 2020 (Thursdays from 5:30pm – 6:30pm)

June 25th – July 30th, 2020 (Thursdays from 2:00-3:00pm)

July 22nd – August 19th, 2020 (Wednesdays from 5:00pm – 5:50pm)

Cost for this five week group is only $349 per person. This group is ideal for rising 5th and 6th graders.

Upcoming Groups:

‘Hey Warrior!’ Book Club

This book club is for anxious kids in grades 2-4. We will use Karen Young’s book “Hey Warrior” to learn more about physical symptoms of anxiety in our body and how to manage them. The group will explore play based therapy techniques to learn coping strategies, calming techniques and mindfulness. Anxiety can present as worrying, anger, distraction and can often feel very lonely. Kid groups help us all learn that we belong! This group will be facilitated by Karin Purugganan, Resident in Counseling for the Wise Family.

Upcoming Group Dates:

Parenting During A Pandemic

This group is designed to engage in conversations around parenting challenges during this unprecedented time. Realize that you are not alone with the stressors that come with being with your families 24/7 AND find ways to highlight the positive moments. Conversations facilitated by Kasey Cain, will allow time for sharing, questions, and mindful moments.

Dates: May 19th, 2020 through June 23rd, 2020 (Weekly on Tuesdays)

Virtual Teen Talk Support Group

Many teens do not have the skills needed to cope with this unprecedented time. Group therapy is a great source of support and growth for teens. The Virtual Teen Talk Support Group is designed to educate and support teens as they navigate this time of uncertainty to make daily living more manageable.

The group meets virtually on Tuesdays 3:30-4:30pm. 9th-12th grade boys and girls are welcome to join. Teens can join the group after each participant or parent completes the registration form and speaks with a group facilitator. Once joining Teen Talk, each teen must commit to attend for a minimum of six weeks as regular attendance is necessary for the group to be successful. Participants can pay per session ($70 each) or for a 6 week group session package ($397 for package of 6).

Starts on Tuesday May 19th, 2020

When: Tuesdays from 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Teen Girls Body Image Group:

Using The Body Image Workbook for Teens by Julia V. Taylor, the group will focus on helping teenage girls build self-esteem and develop healthy coping strategies when faced with negative body messages. This group will address negative self-talk/cognitive distortions, social media, nutrition/health and celebrating different body types.

Dates: May 26th, 2020 – June 18th, 2020

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm

Cost for this four week group is $349 per person. This group is ideal for girls in 7th – 9th Grade.

#Destress – Support Group for Rising Juniors & Seniors

This group is for rising juniors and seniors who are experiencing anxiety or stress related to their college choice process and the impact COVID-19 has had on their academic goals.

This group will provide teens education on unique ways to destress, foster new friendships for accountability and gain skills of how to navigate potential stressors that may arise in their junior and senior year.

Dates: June 17th – August 12th, 2020

Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life

Do you have an anxious son or daughter heading off to middle school? Is your older elementary child starting to worry excessively about things that didn’t seem to phase them in the past? This group for 5th and 6th graders will be structured as a book club using Bryan Johnson’s book “Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life” which follows seven different characters learning life lessons.

With male and female characters, this group is meant for anyone looking to learn to cope with anxiety at this tender age. This group will be facilitated by Karin Purugganan, Resident in Counseling for the Wise Family.

Dates: June 26th – July 31st, 2020 from 1-2pm

Hygge Time

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh not hoo-gah) is a Danish word used when acknowledging “a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cozy, charming or special.” Spend this hour learning how to be mindful, practicing meditation and learning some yoga. Learn how to make your own space relaxing and calming using materials already in your home. Teaching children that they are in control of their space and energy can help at a multitude of ages. Invite a friend and let’s get hygge together!

Amy knows how to relate to children, and make them feel comfortable . My son was shy at the beginning but Amy asked him a couple questions about what he likes and immediately found the connection to him. He happily followed her in the office (just after a 3 min of conversation) and preformed the test. He wasn’t nervous or scared and it’s bc of her ability to relate to kids.

We had a great experience and he wants to go back! Thank you very much!

— Dad of 5-year-old assessment client

“Amy is like Oprah – she’s the neighbor you love who is very, very smart”

— Parent of 14-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter

“Thank you so much for all you do and care for me. And all the work you do for my family. I {heart} you.”

Accepting NEW clients: Need a "digital" Sanity Break?

The Wise Family is committed to providing children, teens and families with AMAZING and uninterrupted care during the coronavirus public health crisis.

Our Alexandria and Arlington offices are OPEN with limited visit options, depending on your therapist, AND we are meeting with many of our regularly scheduled clients through secure video conferencing.

Click the button below to send us a message or schedule a FREE 15-minute consult TODAY!